Christmas Eve 2010

CHRISTMAS EVE 2010


5:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m.

118: O Come All Ye Faithful

GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY
Today we remember Jesus
and the story of his birth;
Jesus is our King.

The Christ candle is lit on the wreath.
Hope, peace, joy, and love. Four candles, four promises continually offered to us by God, and all of them manifest in this one we light tonight: the Christ candle. In Christ we find the hope of transformation, the peace that follows justice, the joy of self-fulfillment in community, and the love that encompasses us in all our diversity, empowering us to make our own unique contribution to this world. In Christ we find light and life, and the courage to be like him, answering his call and following in his footsteps.

Take this fire, let it flame,
God is born in our frame,
sinless child tastes our shame,
sin’s might he is breaking;
new the world is making.
Shine, O candles, shine,
Burn with love divine,
to the night,
comes the light
of the Father’s glory.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world;
Jesus is our Way.
With Jesus even dark places are light;
Jesus is the Truth.
In Jesus we shall live for ever;
Jesus is our Life.

The Summary of the Law
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: The first commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Collect
Let us pray,
Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. As we have known the revelation of that light on earth, bring us to see the splendour of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Anthem – Junior Choir: Born To Set Us Free
Anthem – Senior Choir: Lullaby of the Dove

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Refrain: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
120: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Luke 2:1-14 – A dramatic reading of the Gospel.
Luke 2:1-14 – A Reading

Sermon: Archdeacon John Clarke

Anthem – Junior Choir: Child of Christmas
Anthem – Senior Choir: Carol of the Bells

THE PRAYERS
The Prayers of the People
In joy and humility, let us pray to the creator of the universe, whose son was born so that we might have everlasting life, saying, “Lord, grant us peace.”
We pray that our lives may reflect the love you have shown us, and that there will be unity in your church. We ask your grace for Sue and Ron our bishops, and for all of us as we minister in word and action, helping us to bear faithful witness to your love. By the good news of our salvation brought to Mary by the angel, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
We give thanks for and ask your blessing for those who are on duty this night: police, fire fighters, ambulance crews, health care providers and others on special duty. We hold up before you the men and women of the Canadian Forces, that they may be kept safe. Hear us O Lord,
Lord, grant us peace.
On this joyful evening, may your peace, justice and love flow into the world, into our country, communities and families. May our hearts search out the lonely and those in need, so they will know your presence. We give thanks for our ministry at St. Paul’s to generously provide time and treasure to help fill the Christmas boxes. May you continue to fill us with strength and vision to recognize the work of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, hear us O Lord,
Lord, grant us peace.
We name before you those who are ill at home or in the hospital [especially….], knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can ask or imagine. By the manifestation of the King of glory to the shepherds and magi, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
We commend to you all who have died [especially….], that our trust in you may deepen as you keep them safe in your care. We offer our thanks and praise for all you have done for us, rejoicing in the knowledge that you are with us always. By the submission of the maker of the world to Mary and Joseph of Nazareth, hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.
Almighty God, once more this holy night rings out with joy, prayer and music, and our hearts are lifted with the song of the angels; once more the bright star guides us to thoughts of a child, lying in a manger; we ask you to bless us and all those dear to us. May the magi within us, wisely brings our gifts and offer true worship; may the awestruck shepherd within us, run to embrace the wonder of your love. O God, your love is so great that you gave us your Son to shine out in our darkness. Help us to make that love known to the entire world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession & Absolution
Hear the words of the angel to Joseph: 'You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' Therefore let us seek the forgiveness of God through Jesus the Saviour of the world.

Silence is kept.

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

139: The First Nowell

THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
Prayer over the Gifts
Let us pray,
Source of light and gladness, accept all we offer on this joyful feast. May we grow up in him who unites our lives to yours; for he is Lord now and for ever. Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer "G" from Common Worship, the Church of England
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, Lord God, our light and our salvation; to you be glory and praise for ever.

From the beginning you have created all things and all your works echo the silent music of your praise. In the fullness of time you made us in your image, the crown of all creation.

You give us breath and speech, that with angels and archangels and all the powers of heaven we may find a voice to sing your praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

How wonderful the work of your hands, O Lord. As a mother tenderly gathers her children, you embraced a people as your own. When they turned away and rebelled your love remained steadfast.

From them you raised up Jesus our Saviour, born of Mary, to be the living bread, in whom all our hungers are satisfied.

He offered his life for sinners, and with a love stronger than death he opened wide his arms on the cross.

On the night before he died, he came to supper with his friends and, taking bread, he gave you thanks. He broke it and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine, he gave you thanks, and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Jesus Christ is Lord:
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.

Father, we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross; we remember his dying and rising in glory, and we rejoice that he intercedes for us at your right hand.

Pour out your Holy Spirit as we bring before you these gifts of your creation; may they be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

As we eat and drink these holy things in your presence, form us in the likeness of Christ, and build us into a living temple to your glory.

Bring us at the last with Mary, Joseph and all the saints to the vision of that eternal splendour for which you have created us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, by whom, with whom, and in whom, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread
We break the bread of life,
and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us,
light in the midst of us,
bring us to light and life.

The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.

Hymns-during-Communion at 11:00 p.m. are: 125, 138 & 137

THE SCATTERING

119: Silent Night

Prayer after Communion
Let us pray,
Father of all, tonight you have united earth and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature. May we who have tasted heavenly things share in the life of his eternal kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A doxology
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessing
May Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with peace and goodwill and make you partakers of the divine nature; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

154: Joy to the World

The Scattering (Mark 4:20)
Alleluia! Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the birth of our saviour.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!